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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Wolf Creek man dies in rollover ... Mosquito spraying raises fears, questions ... Governor tells grads about her former closeted life ... Wolf Creek man dies in rollover ... Mosquito spraying raises fears, questions ... Governor tells grads about her former closeted life ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Rail work part of crossing-safety program Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I've seen railroad crews working on the tracks to the north of downtown Medford this week. Didn't Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad just reopen the line between here and California? Are the tracks worn out? — Sandy T., Medford It certainly looks like there's some serious heavy-metal activity on the railroad near Pallet Wine Co. We checked with Oregon Department of Transportation railroad people, who told us the long-promised crossing-safety work has begun. When crossing signals and safety arms are installed, it involves more than simply setting up light towers and those folding arms. To make the signal systems work efficiently, it requires replacing existing rail sections that trigger the electronics as trains draws near, said Rick Shankle, manager of ODOT's crossing-safety unit. As a train approaches a crossing, anywhere from a quarter-mile to a mile away, it trips a circuit breaker, activating the electronics within the signal cabinet. That sets off a sequence in which lights start flashing, and the gate arms are lowered and put in place well before the train rumbles past. Rails typically are 39 feet long and pieced together with joint bars and bolts. "With a jointed rail system, you have to have a wire welded in between each of the different rails, and that's easy for vandals to break," Shankle said. "It's a maintenance nightmare and safety issue. It's far more effective to put in a solid stick in either direction." ODOT funneled federal funds to CORP to help pay for the upgrade. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501